Marie Dueck (nee Klassen)

Obituary

Marie Dueck (nee Klassen) of Steinbach passed away at the age of 85 on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre. She was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Annie Klassen, brother Jack Klassen (Hilda) and sister Nancy Hourd. She will be lovingly missed and is survived by her daughter Arlana Friesen and her sons Kevin Penner (Tina), Warren Penner (Colleen), Regan Penner (Sheri), and grandchildren Kayla Friesen, Christian Penner, Bryce Penner (Taylor), Ava Penner, Sonya Siemieniewski (Kaleb), Alexandra Penner, Kaitlin Nikkel, Dwight Penner, and Payton Penner. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews and five great grandchildren – Echo, Weston, Isla, Brooks and Willow.

Marie spent her early years in Plum Coulee, Manitoba. She later lived in several provinces and in Winnipeg before moving to Steinbach in the early 1970s. Steinbach became her home for more than 50 years.

Marie experienced significant loss and uncertainty from a young age. After losing her mother at the age of 11, she spent much of her teenage life moving between homes. These early experiences shaped her life in many ways, and she carried both struggles and resilience throughout the years.

Above all, Marie was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and her family was deeply important to her. She found happiness in spending time with her children and grandchildren and took great pleasure in searching for special treasures during her many visits to thrift stores. She was always on the lookout for something that reflected a family member’s interests, met a practical need or simply let them know she was thinking of them.

Marie loved animals and shared her home with many beloved dogs and cats over the years. She was also happy to help her family by caring for their pets and cleaning their homes, making it possible for them to travel or easing some of the pressures of everyday life. These practical acts of service were one of the ways she showed her love.

Marie valued her friendships and enjoyed spending time visiting with the many friends she made throughout her life. She also had a great love of gardening. Her home and yard were filled with plants, and she delighted in growing beautiful things. She generously shared plants, gardening advice and the knowledge she had gained over many years, helping others discover the same joy.

Marie will be remembered for her love of family and animals, her generosity, her resourcefulness, her faith, and the many ways she tried to make life a little easier and more beautiful for those around her.

A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at a future date.